"Specie Claws"

In this melodramatic political cartoon, a poverty stricken and starving tradesman's family looks glum as the landlord approaches. This shows the impact of the Panic of 1837 and the Species Clause on the common people. The hungry children ask for some "species claws" to eat. The tradesman's empty tool box only holds worthless "Loco Foco" pledges. The Democratic radical faction, the Loco Focos, supported Martin Van Buren's anti-federal bank policies.